KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS

Random acts of kindness...

This morning at Starbucks.... someone paid for our Starbucks drinks.

Wow!?? That's so sweet.... so random.....SO RANDOMLY SWEET!

Of course, we continued the act of kindness forth to those behind us.

Committing random acts of kindness is absolutely contagious... on our way home we were thinking of other ways we can continue this thoughtful action.

I'm a big kid now.....

Today is the final day of science and engineering camp for Bam and Princess Fifi.

The campers will be spending the morning exploring the science museum and later they'll conclude with a farewell luncheon.

Sounds like fun!!

Except....… Camp starts at the exact same time as the soccer game!!

There is no way I could be in two places at the same time.........on different sides of the city!

Eeek....

Solution.... Bam and Fifi will take the city bus line to camp!

**BIG sigh**

We've rode the bus before and we become somewhat familiar with their scheduled stops.

ABQ is fairly easy to get around

With cellphones in hand, a bus map, the address, and some money----- I send them off.

(earlier in the week we drove the bus path to become familiar with the locations and stops)

It was a HUGE step towards more responsibility for my two babies, Bam and Fi.… a sort' of milestone (In my opinion)

They were very excited to be given the task of getting themselves downtown (Old Town) for their final day of camp.

-------------------

Meanwhile....Back on the soccer field, I could tell my little Sweetheart was feeling a little lonely at the early morning soccer game.

Cookie and I cheered her on throughout the game....… But we could tell she was missing her sis.

Sweetheart after the soccer game
Cheer up honey

 After the game we headed downtown to meet up with Bam and Fifi.

I knew they made it to their destination via texts and calls.

Below are the pics they took from their BIG KID venture....

They decided to start off the morning right...
lucky for us we live walking distance to FRONTIER and
it's right next to the bus stop! 

FRONTIER has very tasty
Green chile and carne adovada handheld breakfast burritos.
Mmmm..... (the temptation must've been too much for them to resist)

Bam and Fi boarded an empty bus....

After several stops and go.........they've  arrived.

FINAL DESTINATION: Explora!!!

THEY DID IT!!

They make it to Explora....... (who says I was worried??)

They were waiting for US to get there!!!

I'm so relieved.... I wasn't nervous.

(okay, maybe just a LITTLE)

After we reunited..... we enjoyed the museum, with their hands on experiments, exhibits and some creatures.

Cookie singing to the lizard because

lizards like it...... (so she says)

Sweetheart tells her sister all about the soccer game....❤

After tons of science fun...... it was time to gather for the honorary private luncheon for the campers and their families.

Looks yummy

Super meal

Sweetheart is no longer feeling lonely now that we're all reunited.

 Mum loves all her smiling faces...

(Click here to see what we were up to last year on this date)

smiles, jokes and art for the pediatrician

Today is doctor appointment
 No concerns...
because everyone loves their pediatrician!
She's a wonderful, amazing, super doctor.

Today the girls brought her some impressive art.
They've done this for years now---
 so proudly displayed
Her office is like an art gallery of love

--so sweet--

Weeeeee!!!!!

It's FRIDAY!!

My kiddos are enjoying their well deserved time off from school......... SUMMER VACATION 

It is a beautifully day TODAY.

Aside from summer camp...... we're feeling pretty relaxed.

Can't wait for our road trip.

you gotta have FAITH

Our busy schedule doesn't end just because school ended.

This summer, Sweetheart and Cookie will attend faith formation religious educational studies. 

Sweetheart and Cookie have attended this in summers past. 

They are excited to meeting up with old friends and excited to make new ones.

The classes meet 5x a week throughout the month of June.

So that means the routine of drop off / pick up won't end for us anytime soon.

Gotta have Faith.....

HOT sun and cool water fun

Sweetheart's very best friend, little Miss Katia, invited Sweetheart, Cookie and Princess Fifi over for swimming time.

Ohhhhh......... it was perfect timing....... especially with the HOT days we've been having lately.

The girls squealed with delight for the opportunity to have a girls day with little Miss Katia in her swimming pool.

Immediately the girls began trying on their swimming suits.

I suppose it's been a while since we've been swimming....the girls outgrew theirs....so it was time to purchase new swimming suits and coverups.

We had fun searching for the perfect color, the perfect cut and the perfect fit. We found it in the Harajuku collection at Target and the Selena Gomez collection at Kmart with super cute coverups from Costco.

Before I could get a picture of the girls in their swimsuits.........it was time to go to little Miss Katia's house. But believe me....they look so sweet, cute and summer ready in their new swim suits!

candy apples, yearbooks and sunshine

Ohhh....YES!
Today is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL......

My children are excited! (as am I)
A whole school year has come and gone.
All my little ones have worked soooooo hard all year long!

At last..... summer vacation is here

Cookie in Los Golondrinas

Cookie's final field trip with her class....
Last time we were in Los Golondrinas.... we were with Sweetheart's class. (Fall 2011)
This time around....Cookie and her class are enjoying the historic Los Golondrinas.

(click here for Fall 2011 Los Golondrinas blog)

Maybe you remember......Los Golondrinas is near Santa Fe......and is a historic living history museum.
Los Golondrinas represents the heritage and culture of the 18th and 19th century life in Spanish colonial and territorial New Mexico.

Historical hill top chapel ( Fall 2011 with Sweetheart)

SAME historical hill top chapel (Spring 2012)

Cookie's story book adventure...... just like American Girl--Josefina Montoya

(click here)

Diego to the third power

Here we are at the party store once again.
Last time we were here we had so many laughs (click here to revisit that blog)

Once again we perused the many themes to see what might spark our imaginations....


                                                  There was the Western Cowgirl theme

                                                         The Rock and Rock 50's theme

                                                          The Roaring 40's theme

                                                       The Teen pop star theme

Then there was the 

                                            Go, Diego, Go theme...............creeeeepy!

Guess who......

The Gathering....

The annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is this weekend at the University of New Mexico Arena aka THE PIT.

This event is known as North America's Biggest Powwow.

The powwow runs April 26, 27, 28....beginning with the Miss Indian World Talent Presentations at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Isleta Pueblo. The crowing of Miss Indian World is on Saturday evening at the Pit. There will be plenty of traditional native competition dancing, traditional native music, traditional arts and craft market, powwow, and Native talent on Stage 49. We love this time of year, when many NATIVE AMERICANS and other INDIGENOUS TRIBES from other countries come to ABQ. 

It's so beautiful to see so many lovely faces around.....

In front of the Pit: the lines are already forming for tomorrows OPENING DAY

This is inside the Pit where the stage AND sound are coming together.

Many people lining up for general admission tickets as well for
vendors license for those who are selling at the Indian Market.

Looks like the local news station is here to do a expose....

This is the back area location of the Indian Traders Market and Stage 49

Why.......you ask.....am I already inside???

Well, we volunteer every year for the Gathering of Nations as crowd control manager. Basically an assistant to help those unfamiliar with the Pit to find exits, entrances, special entrances for dancers and performers, and special VIP seating. Sometimes we volunteer as counter for the dancers-- to make sure they get credit for dancing during special competition events as well.

The Gathering of Nations is so much fun to attend.... the splendor of the traditional regalia is amazing and beautiful. To be here live as the beating of the drums and chanting of the singers brings your core to harmony...... NO JOKE....REALLY.

The sight of the dancers dancing....The sound of the traditional rhythmic beats.....The smells of the traditional foods is beyond words.... PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST THIS IS A MUST.....you should attend NORTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST POWWOW.

Exciting news.... summer is almost here!

The school year is winding down....

I can't believe that school is almost out for

the SUMMER.... in just about a month.

Fifi has a spring in her step as she
 skips towards me with exciting school news

I think EXCITEMENT is in the air.....whatever it is...the children are excited!!

The weather is beautiful and smiles are everywhere....

Beaming with PRIDE

Hurray....

It's here... Bam's sacrament of Confirmation....After 2 years of intensive religious classes, volunteering--stewardship, retreats, group projects and social justice projects.
The day is here to honor him...... he's earned it!

He's worked so hard and I'm so very proud of him.
I know he's honored to be receiving his faith sacrament today.

I love my son....

There was plenty of hugs and kisses from his Princess Fifi, Sweetheart, Cookie, Nana and I.
Bam is joyous but I know he's missing his Cheii....who is feeling under the weather and is not in attendance with us today.

 CONGRATULATIONS BAM!!!

--Cuties on the balcony--

Bam and his Nana...... "Please NO pictures" 

 Bam and his Nana....she is his religious sponsor today..... guiding him on his journey.... supporting him spiritually and recognizing his choice.  She is great.... she reminds Bam that she is honored to be here for him today.

A beautiful orb near the cross of Jesus
Perhaps a loved one's who've passed on is joining us on our very special day
....Perhaps

Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you...
John 14:27
Many are the blessings
being wished today for you —
Joy that's deep and lasting,
faith that's strong and true,
Courage if the road seems hard,
guidance on your way,
And Christ's unfailing love and peace
to bless you every day.

you're my ROCK....

A few days ago was Nana's birthday.

We were not able to visit her nor was she able to visit us.

But we will see her in a few more days. 

Until then the girls are working on a TOP SECRET project for her garden.

artist's at work

Sweetheart's imagination is soaring

lay out plans and shading options....

Princess Fifi is working on the smaller details of the bigger plan....

Cookie reminds you--
 "This is TOP SECRET! Do not reveal our surprise.......shhhh."

It's a happy day with paint on their hands and love in their hearts....

where did i put it.....

NO SCHOOL for Bam ---today, tomorrow and Friday

School is currently OUT for student led conferences otherwise known as parent / teacher conferences. 

We attended our meeting earlier this morning with his advisory teacher.

Bam is doing well and has nice supportive teachers who encourage him.

Next we're off to the public library to replace our library cards.
I can't seem to find them.....
Do you ever put something in a great spot so that you won't forget them.
But then forget where you put it.
I feel so absent minded---I think I need a vacation!!

Reading opens your mind 

 Knowledge is power

swoosh....

It's FRIDAY!!

Its time for a little family5 basketball.....

Swoosh....nothing but net by BAM

Bam is very good at this game.....scores very easily, very well.

Princess Fifi enjoys playing and cheering us on

Sweetheart finds climbing the goal post like a monkey entertaining.

Cookie loves to slam dunk! (with the assistance from her brother)

up, up, and away....

SPRING BREAK TUESDAY

See our kites dancing with the clouds.....

The Sun is shining brightly and warm
 The wind is strong and breezy up high

It's a PERFECT day for flying kite!

flying up
flying high
flying strong
spinning everywhere
'round and 'round
 (original poem by Sweetheart)

NEW shirt and NEW kicks

 Cookie + jump rope team = field trip
The jump rope team had a field trip to Coronado Elementary to demonstrate their AMAZING jump roping skills.

Cookie debuts her NEW TEAM JUMP ROPE SHIRT and her NEW HOT PINK SNEAKERS!!!

With great form and ability, the jump rope team had the Coronado student's in awe. 

The Coronado students seemed absolutely eager to learn to jump rope after watching the jump rope team performance.

Harry Potter has nothing on these floating girls.........

Jump roping while on a pogo ball

Doing the sneak a peek duo trick is when one jumper jump ropes regular style
while the second jumper jumps around them simultaneously
 all while under the same rope----
The rope moves very quickly-- Can you see it??

The team looks fantastic in their new shirts!!
Thank you, honorable Coronado Caballeros, for being such enthusiastic fans!